About This Whiskey
Midleton Very Rare Irish Chestnut Edition Cappoquin House 70cl 56.1% represents a remarkable achievement in Irish whiskey maturation and the inaugural release in the prestigious Midleton Very Rare Rare Wood Collection.
This exceptional Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey explores the influence of Irish sweet chestnut wood, sourced from the historic Cappoquin House estate in County Waterford, on mature Irish whiskey.
Developed under the direction of Master Distiller Kevin O'Gorman, the Irish Chestnut Edition brings together traditional Midleton distillation, carefully selected mature whiskey and an innovative approach to cask finishing.
The expression began with a selection of light, medium and heavy single pot still distillates, matured for between 12 and 19 years in American oak bourbon barrels. These mature whiskeys were subsequently finished for a further five years in specially crafted Irish sweet chestnut hogsheads.
The result is a whiskey with an overall age profile of 17 to 24 years, combining the familiar richness of mature Midleton single pot still whiskey with the distinctive influence of Irish-grown chestnut wood.
The wood used to create the finishing casks came from six carefully selected trees at Cappoquin House. After harvesting, the timber underwent two years of seasoning before being crafted into bespoke hogshead casks.
The casks were lightly toasted, allowing the wood to contribute its distinctive characteristics during the extended finishing period.
The use of Irish sweet chestnut represents a pioneering development in Irish whiskey maturation. While American and European oak have traditionally dominated whiskey cask production, the Irish Chestnut Edition explores the possibilities of a different wood species.
The resulting whiskey offers an exceptional combination of orchard fruit, chocolate, vanilla, warming spice and distinctive nutty undertones.
Bottled at natural cask strength of 56.1% ABV and non-chill filtered, the expression retains the rich texture and complexity developed during its extended maturation.
The Irish Chestnut Edition is particularly significant within the Midleton Very Rare portfolio because it is a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey rather than the traditional annual Midleton Very Rare blend.
Its identity is closely connected with the Rare Wood Collection, which explores the influence of unusual wood types on exceptional mature Irish whiskey.
For collectors, the Cappoquin House connection provides an additional dimension of provenance. The whiskey celebrates the relationship between Irish land, traditional cooperage and the continuing development of Irish whiskey.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Rich golden amber, reflecting its extended maturation and distinctive wood finishing.
Aroma: Honeyed red apple, caramelised orange peel, melted chocolate and toffee fudge, accompanied by cinnamon, nutmeg, sandalwood and subtle nutty notes.
Taste: Orchard fruits, vanilla and chocolate develop alongside gentle oak tannins, traditional pot still spice, delicate herbs and warming pepper.
Mouthfeel: Rich and full-bodied, with a textured palate, natural cask strength warmth and a long, complex finish.
The finish is persistent and layered, with fruit sweetness gradually giving way to pot still spice and the distinctive influence of Irish sweet chestnut.
The interaction between American oak maturation and Irish chestnut finishing is central to the whiskey's character. American oak contributes a familiar foundation of vanilla, sweetness and structure. The Irish sweet chestnut introduces additional woodland spice, nutty complexity and subtle tannic character.
Together, these elements create a whiskey that remains recognisably Midleton Very Rare while offering a distinctive new maturation profile.
At 56.1% ABV, the whiskey is bottled at natural cask strength. A small amount of water may be added during tasting to explore how the aromas and flavours develop.
About the Distillery
Midleton Distillery in County Cork is one of Ireland's most celebrated whiskey-producing sites and the home of the prestigious Midleton Very Rare collection.
The Midleton Very Rare range was established in 1984 and has become internationally recognised for its carefully selected Irish whiskey releases.
Its annual vintage collection is particularly celebrated for combining exceptional single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys.
The Rare Wood Collection represents a different approach. Rather than focusing on the annual vintage tradition, it explores the influence of distinctive wood types on mature single pot still whiskey.
The Irish Chestnut Edition is the inaugural expression in this collection.
Its development involved a remarkable collaboration between Midleton's whiskey-making team and the custodians of the historic Cappoquin House estate in County Waterford.
Cappoquin House is associated with the Keane family, whose connection with the estate dates to the eighteenth century.
The estate's mature Irish sweet chestnut trees provided the wood used to create the whiskey's finishing casks.
Six trees were carefully selected for the project. Following harvesting, the timber was seasoned for two years before being crafted into bespoke hogshead casks.
The wood was lightly toasted, preparing it for its role in whiskey maturation.
Selected Midleton single pot still whiskeys were then finished in these casks for five years. This extended finishing period allowed the whiskey to develop the distinctive characteristics associated with the Irish chestnut wood.
The project brought together several specialist crafts, including forestry, wood seasoning, cooperage, distillation and maturation.
Its development demonstrates how the selection of cask wood can influence the final character of a mature whiskey.
For generations, whiskey maturation has relied primarily on oak. The Irish Chestnut Edition explores a different possibility, using Irish-grown sweet chestnut to introduce additional complexity.
The result is a whiskey that celebrates Irish craftsmanship from the woodland to the distillery.
The Cappoquin House connection is particularly important because it provides a traceable Irish origin for the wood used in the finishing casks. This provenance distinguishes the expression from whiskeys finished in more conventional imported casks.
The release also highlights Midleton's expertise in single pot still whiskey.
Single pot still Irish whiskey is traditionally produced using a combination of malted and unmalted barley and distilled in copper pot stills. The style is particularly associated with Ireland and is recognised for its distinctive texture, fruit character and spice.
Midleton has played a central role in preserving and developing this traditional whiskey style.
The Irish Chestnut Edition demonstrates how mature single pot still whiskey can be transformed through carefully selected finishing casks.
Its combination of 17 to 24 years of maturation, natural cask strength and Irish sweet chestnut finishing makes it an exceptional expression within the Midleton Very Rare portfolio.
Food Pairings
Midleton Very Rare Irish Chestnut Edition Cappoquin House is an exceptionally complex whiskey that can be enjoyed on its own or alongside carefully selected food.
Its combination of orchard fruit, chocolate, warming spice and nutty undertones creates several interesting pairing opportunities.
Dark chocolate is an excellent starting point. A high-quality dark chocolate with balanced bitterness complements the whiskey's cocoa and chocolate characteristics without overwhelming its delicate aromas.
Chocolate truffles or a restrained dark chocolate ganache provide another enjoyable combination.
Roasted nuts are particularly suitable. Hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds can complement the distinctive nutty characteristics associated with the Irish sweet chestnut finishing casks.
Lightly roasted nuts are preferable to heavily seasoned varieties, allowing the whiskey's fruit and spice notes to remain prominent.
Mature cheese can also work particularly well. Aged Gouda offers caramel and nutty flavours that complement the whiskey's sweetness. Comté provides savoury depth and a rounded texture. A carefully selected mature Cheddar offers another enjoyable contrast.
For dessert, apple-based dishes are particularly suitable. A lightly spiced apple tart can complement the whiskey's red apple and cinnamon notes.
Pear tart, caramelised fruit and restrained toffee desserts offer further possibilities.
The whiskey's citrus character can also complement orange-infused dark chocolate.
For savoury pairings, roasted mushrooms and dishes featuring toasted nuts provide an interesting contrast to the whiskey's fruit sweetness.
Given the rarity and complexity of this release, small portions of food are preferable to heavily seasoned dishes that could dominate the tasting experience.
For a dedicated whiskey tasting, begin by appreciating the whiskey neat. A small amount of water may then be introduced to explore how dilution changes the aroma, texture and spice.
Its 56.1% natural cask strength makes gradual tasting particularly appropriate.
Try More Like This
Midleton Very Rare Irish Chestnut Edition Cappoquin House belongs to a distinguished family of premium Irish whiskeys celebrated for their exceptional maturation, craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profiles.
For collectors interested in exploring other expressions from the same producer, our Midleton Very Rare whiskey collection is the natural starting point.
The annual Midleton Very Rare vintage releases provide an interesting comparison with the Irish Chestnut Edition. While the annual vintages combine carefully selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys, the Irish Chestnut Edition is a single pot still expression distinguished by its extended finishing in Irish sweet chestnut casks.
Whiskey enthusiasts interested in unusual wood maturation may also appreciate Method and Madness Japanese Chestnut Cask Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. This expression provides a particularly relevant comparison because it explores the influence of a different chestnut wood on Irish whiskey.
For those who enjoy the rich texture and spice of traditional single pot still whiskey, explore our Spot Whiskey collection.
The Spot family includes Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot and Blue Spot, each offering a distinctive approach to single pot still whiskey maturation.
Blue Spot is particularly interesting for enthusiasts who appreciate cask strength whiskey, while Red Spot offers the depth and complexity associated with extended maturation.
For a broader selection of Irish and international expressions, browse our spirits collection.
Whether you're exploring rare Irish whiskey, unusual wood finishes or the heritage of Midleton Distillery, Midleton Very Rare Irish Chestnut Edition Cappoquin House offers an exceptional combination of maturity, provenance and innovation.
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